Test tube holder

ABSTRACT

There is herein disclosed a tube-carrying rack comprising an elongated, color-coded, U-shaped base with at least two upstanding sidewalls, track means disposed along the inner surface of the sidewalls, a tube-carrying support member, a plurality of apertures disposed within the support member and locking means associated with the base member and the support member to releasably retain the support member in a desired assembled relationship with the base member.

0 United States aten-t [111 3,604,566

[72} Inventors Douglas J- Rem 2,360,978 10/1944 Putter 21 1/74 20525Derby, Detroit, Mich. 48203; 2,979,210 4/ 1961 Patterson 21 1/74 DavidH. Smith, 18492 Alcoy, Detroit, 3,184,071 5/1965 Delaire 211/74 Mich.48205 3,379,315 4/1968 Broadwin 211/72 [21] Appl. No. 820,795 3,390,7837/1968 Quackenbush.. 211/74 X [22] Filed May 1, 1969 3,480,152 11/1969Walsh 211/74 [45] Patented Sept 1971 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr.

Att0rneyHarness, Dickey 8L Pierce [54] TEST TUBE HOLDER I 10 Claims, 11Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.5. CI 211/74 ABSTRACT: There is herein disclosed a .y g rack[51] P CI A47) 73/00 comprising an elongated, color-coded, U-shaped basewith at [50] Field of Search .1 21 1/72, 71, least two upstandingsidewalls, [rack means disposed along the 63; 248/152 198 inner surfaceof the sidewalls, a tube-carrying support member, a plurality ofapertures disposed within the support [56] References Cited member andlocking means associated with the base member UNITED STATES PATENTS andthe support member to releasably retain the support 1,980,930 11/1934Ryeniers 211/74 member in a desired assembled relationship with the base2,155,884 4/1939 Barnes 211/74 member.

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PATENTEU SEP] 4 m1 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVI'NIURS 22 PATENTEUSEP141911 m z m rm z n z m m m V m .r u 7 m II III EII'JIIIZIIIIZHIIZHIIIINZ-IIIZHIZHIIQa mi 7" W J a TEST TUBE HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past,a wide variety of devices have been proposed, many of which were, nodoubt, designed to promote increased efiiciency, versatility andusefulness required for laboratory equipment. A review of the industry,however, still shows a basic need for a device which combines thefeatures of design simplicity, ease of manufacture, interchangeabilityof parts, ready cleanability, ease of identification, and a strong,scratch-stain-resistant quality.

In large hospitals and research laboratories, it is oftentimes difficultto maintain the maximum efiiciency which is needed in clinical controlof the various experiments, tests, samples, etc. The present inventionis designed to fulfill the rigid requirement imposed for both generaland specialized test procedures, as well as, all-around laboratory use,Its use of distinctive color coding will assist in identifying objects,tests or procedures at a glance; identifying equipment assigned to aspecific technician; identifying tests as to their source (such as aspecific physician or a particular wing in a hospital); maintainingcontrol over progressive steps in a multistep procedure; and providingready identification of individual work where mass procedures areemployed.

As is well known, cleanliness is a key factor in all of theaforementioned activities. It has been observed that some devices havebeen unable'to overcome the objectionable feature of corrosiveness dueto their use at varying temperatures and, because of materials anddesign, have been unable to retain a scratch-stain-resistant qualitythus providing for continuous ease in cleaning. This invention hassurmounted these objections by providing a beautiful, yet sturdy,scratch-resistant, crystal and colorful, translucent parts which resistcorrosion and can be cleaned in common laboratory detergents and manylight solvents. The racks can be used in any environment, even one inwhich equipment must be subjected to extremes of temperature. The usageranges from 56 C. to below freezing, thus increasing its versatility,generally. I

Its interchangeability of parts and the ability to effectuate a changeof elevation from shelf to shelf permits ready reading of labels andeasy accessibility for tube clamps or fingers. Additionally, itscantilevered, clear crystal, single and double tray supports provide forease of reciprocation within precision tracks disposed within the baseelement. Moreover, the supports easily snap into a locked positionproviding for rigidity of the unit while assembled, and yet can beunsnapped and easily disassembled, thus providing for easy accessibilityto areas which complicate effective cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, generally, tolaboratory equipment and, more particularly, to a new and improveddevice for improving the portability and segregation of test tubes andthe protection of their contents.

It is, accordingly, an important object of the present invention toprovide a new and useful device which will effectuate convenience inimproving clinical controls through more eff cient organization of workand the simplification of procedures so as to eliminate the likelihoodof human error.

These and other objects are accomplished by a construction which is soreduced in the number and character of its component parts as toapproach the ultimate in structural simplicity and to thereby epitomizeeconomy in its manufacture, assemblage and maintenance. The structurecomprises an elongated, generally U-shaped base member which has atleast two upstanding sidewalls integrally formed therewith andprojecting from the peripheral edges thereof. One or more grooves ortracks are disposed within the sidewalls and act to providecommunication between the base and a tube-carrying support member. Anindentation is disposed on one end of the track and provides the lockingmeans with the support member.

The support comprises an upper and a lower wall joint therebetween andat one end thereof by a laterally extending sidewall. The upper andlower walls thereof are cantilevered and comprise a multiplicity ofapertures, some of which are coaxially aligned so as to provide thedepth required for insertion of various millimetrically sized tubes andcontainers, while other apertures protrude through one surface only.

The support is easily reciprocated into and out of the base member andis locked therein by the snug fit which exists when the end wall of thesupport member is inserted into the indentation disposed at one end ofthe track located in the sidewalls of the base member.

These and other objects, and the novel details of construction ofnumerous commercially practical embodiments of the invention, willbecome more apparent as this description proceeds, especially whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thetest tube holder constructed in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the invention shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan cross-sectional view, taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG.2 and partially broken away so as to depict the coaxial alignment of theapertures;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view like FIG. 2 of a modification of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the invention shown inFIG. 5 taken substantially along the line 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective viewof yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, as taken substantially along the line 8- 8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the present invention; I

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and taken substantially along the lines10-10 thereof; and

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 as taken substantially along the lines of 11-11thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detailto the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, a test tube holder 10constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, is shown as comprising a generally U-shaped channeled basemember 12 and a C-shaped tube-retaining support member 14.

The base member 12 comprises a rectangularly shaped web or bottom wall16 and two upstanding sidewalls 18, 20 formed integrally therewith. Thesidewalls 18, 20 extend upwardly from outer edges of the web 16 and liein parallel relationship to each other. A pair of grooves or tracks 22are disposed longitudinally of the walls 18, 20 and are designed tocommunicate with the tube carrying support member 14, to be hereinafterdescribed in detail. The tracks 22 may be located at any pointvertically of the walls 18, 20, but should be sufficiently elevatedabout the web 16 so as to allow for sufficient tube stability, when thedevice is fully assembled with the tubes contained therein. Thethickness of the web 16 is substantially the same as that of thesidewalls I8, 20.

The tube carrying support member 14 is generally C-shaped and comprisesan end wall 24 with top wall 26 and a bottom wall 28 cantilevered fromthe upper and lower edges thereof. The walls of the support member 14are integrally formed and the thickness of all three walls aresubstantially equal. The member 14 also comprises a plurality ofannular, axially aligned apertures 30, 32. The apertures 30 are formedperpendicularly of the top wall 26, while the apertures 32 are formedperpendicularly of the bottom wall 28.

The support member 14 is manually, slidably reciprocable within thetracks 22 in the sidewalls 18, 20. An indentation 34 is formed on oneend of the track 22 and is of a thickness such that when the supportmember 14 is introduced into registration with the track 22, and movedto its forwardmost limit therealong, the thickness of the wall 24 willbe such that it will fit snugly and evenly into the indentation 34 suchthat the edges of the base member 12 and the tube-carrying supportmember 14 are evenly aligned. The support member 14 will move intomeshing and coordinately locking engagement with the base member 12 in aunidirectional plane only. Should the support member be accidentally orinadvertently inserted into the base member 12 from the wrong direction,the wall 24 will not enter the indentation 34, thus protruding beyondthe edge 36 of the base 12. It can be seen, that the width of the tracks22 and the indentation 34 is substantially the same as the walls 24, 26,28 of the tube carrying member 14, thus providing for a releasablyretainable fit between the support member 14 and the base member 12 suchthat should the device be tipped, the support will not freely travelalong the track 22, resulting in possible spillage of the contentsthereof.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of the base member 12 which isdistinguishable in that two tracks 40, 42 lie in parallel relationshipto each other, thus providing a track for each one of the walls 26, 28of the support member 14. Additionally, the height of the walls 18, 29of the base 12 have been increased so as to accommodate a pair ofapertures 44 placed below the top of the wall 46 and intermediate theedges thereof to facilitate ease of handling.

FIGS. and 6 depict another embodiment of the present invention whereinthe base member 50 is shown to be substantially the same as thatdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tube carrying member, on the contrary,although being of C-shape differs from the other embodiments in that theapertures are of notably varying sizes wherein the apertures 52, 54 areaxially aligned, while the apertures 56 extend only through the top wall60 and do not extend into the bottom wall 62. The apertures are formedperpendicular of the walls 60, 62 with each aperture varying in size inreference to the others. This embodiment allows the laboratory to keepcuvettes 64, unopettes 66 and pipettes 68 together in one rack. Thearrangement has proven beneficial for such tests as Osmotic Fragility,RBCs, WBCs, Reticulocyte incubation and Platelet and Eosinophil countsystems. Moreover, this holder has proven capable of organizing the AmesSystems for faster, more efficient testing.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the base member 70 is substantially thesame as described hereinabove, however, the support member 72 isdifferent in that it consists of two stepped levels 74, 76 with thelevel 74 being elevated and above the bottom tube-carrying level 76. Amultiplicity of apertures 78 extend perpendicularly through the upperwall 74, while a plurality of apertures 80 are axially aligned withinboth the walls 74, 76. The apertures 82 aredisposed angularly throughthe front deck 83 of the bottom wall 76 and slots 84 are disposedtherein to provide for the reception of any appropriate type ofrequisition order or identifying indicia. The rack permits easierhandling of pipetted tubes (not shown) and is designed for fasterprocessing of CBCs. The rack has been specifically used for holding aplurality of 5-or 7-dram vials 86, a multiplicity of 12- orl3-millimeter cuvettes 88 plus a plurality of individual microhemotocrittubes 90 which are disposed angularly at a convenient work angle.

FIGS. 9 through 11 disclose yet another embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a transparent boxlike structure 100 is used forcontaining and preserving blood or serum. The C- shaped tube-carryingmember 102 is substantially as described hereinabove with apertures 119,121 disposed axially therein. The base member 104 is box-shaped andcontains a floor 106 with three upstanding integrally formed sidewalls108, 110, 112. The fourth wall consists of a slidably removable door orgate member 1 14. Walls 108, 110, l 12 comprise a superposeddouble-layered pair of tracks 113, 115 which receive the edges 109, 111of the C-shaped support member 102. When the gate member 114 is removed,a pair of protrusions 1140 are visible and extend beyond the walls 108,112, and contain a pair of slots 117 disposed longitudinally of theprotrusions 114a and perpendicularly of the tracks 113, 115; The gate114 consists of a pair of ledges 116, 118. The lower ledge 118 mesheswith the floor 106 of the container 100,.while the upper ledge 116meshes with a second ledge 122 which extends laterally andcircumferentially of the box forming the upper and outward portion ofthe walls 108, 110, 112. The ledges 116, 122 receive a cover member 124,the edges of which fit snugly onto the ledges and is designed,specifically, to cover and prevent evaporation and contamination of theblood or serum contained therein.

The ingenious design permits the aforementionedly described racks to bedisassembled quickly and easily for cleaning, as well as, to be adaptedto meet specialized needs. The interchangeability of the variouselements provides for increased efficiency and versatility.

The material found to be most suitable for this invention consists ofacrylic or polymethylmethacrylate or any other suitable molded polymericmaterial. The material is advantageous in that it not only maintains apleasant appearance but is also scratch and stain resistant. Thetube-carrying members are usually crystal, while the bases aretranslucent which may be color coded to provide for increased efficiencyin controlling clinical or laboratory activities.

It has been found that the device can be cleaned in common laboratorydetergents and many light solvents. It should not be washed inconcentrated acids or with highly volatile solvents as these will attackthe surfaces and blemish the appearance. It is additionally advantageousin that it will withstand temperatures of up to 56 C. and temperaturesbelow freezing. It should be cautioned, however, that at extremely lowtemperatures, the material tends to become brittle, as do most materialsof this kind.

It will additionally be seen, that the cantilevered trays are easilydisplaceable into and out of the precision tracks contained within thebase units. When the trays are snapped into locking position, theyprovide rigidity for the unit, and yet, can be unsnapped andreciprocally removed with the minimum of ease. The disassembled unitspresent no inaccessible areas to complicate cleaning thereof and thetray elements are fully interchangeable between the various coloredbases within the same series.

The locking feature of this invention, which has been illustrated anddescribed hereinabove, consists essentially in the close fit of thewalls of the C-shaped tube-carrying support member within the track andits contiguous indentation at the extremity thereof. Experiments haveshown that this arrangement can be varied by increasing (slightly) thethickness of one of the cantilevered walls thus providing for a slightresistance when that layer is inserted into the track element. Whenfully inserted, the tray will not slip out should the entire unit beinadvertently tipped in a backwards direction. Moreover, a slight rib orprotrusion can be placed on the inside of the track, thus providing foran alternative feature in the locking arrangement. These specificalternatives, however, are not as advantageous because of the lack ofmaximum versatility and usefulness, and the ever present possibility ofwear upon the surfaces described, rendering, in time, a device whichwill not lock securely within the base member.

In addition, a type of locking (such as a ball detent arrangement) maybe employed in connection with the tracks and support members toreleasably retain the support members in their desired position relativeto the base member. It is contemplated that the size of the variousunits, the number and diameter of the apertures contained therein willvary so as to accommodate the various needs and demands of a widelydistributed audience. The particular usages discussed and the variousinstruments depicted with the various embodiments are illustrative onlyand they are not intended to limit the use to which any of theaforementionedly described units may be put.

It will, of course, be understood that various additional changes may bemade in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the partswithout departing from the scope of this invention, which, generallystated, consists in the matter shown and described herein and set forthin the appended claims.

1. A test tube holder comprising,

a U-shaped base member fabricated of a molded polymeric material andhaving a horizontal bottom wall and a pair of upstanding sidewallsformed integrally of said bottom wall, multileveled, C-shapedtube-retaining support member fabricated of a molded polymeric materialand having one vertical wall and a pair of horizontal walls,

a plurality of axially aligned apertures in said support memberhorizontal walls,

track means recessed within said sidewalls of said base member andserving to slidably support the lower horizontal wall of said supportmember, and

means associated with said base member sidewalls and operativelyassociated with both said bottom wall and said vertical wall toreleasably retain said support member in a desired assembledrelationship with said base member.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base member iscolor coded.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein a portion of saidapertures in both levels are circular in shape, axially aligned andextend vertically through both levels of said multileveled tuberetaining support member, and a portion of said apertures are circularin shape and extend vertically through only one level of saidmultileveled tube-retaining support member.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the portion of saidapertures which extend vertically through only one level of saidmultileveled tube-retaining support member are of a larger diameter thanthe portion of said apertures extending vertically through both levelsof said multileveled tuberetaining support member.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein yet another portion ofsaid apertures extend angularly through one level of said multileveledtube-retaining support member.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said multileveledtube-retaining support member is stepped and includes in addition tosaid apertures a plurality of slots in the bottom level of said supportmember which extend inwardly from one longitudinal edge thereof adjacentsaid angularly extending apertures.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upwardlydisplaceable wall is a reciprocably displaceable gate member which fitsinto sliding engagement within a pair of protrusions.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein a ledge iscircumferentially disposed about the outer edge of said upstanding wallsand oriented to receive said cover member.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said track meanscomprises a pair of grooves disposed longitudinally of the upstandingsidewalls.

10. A test tube holder comprising,

a U-shaped base member having a horizontal bottom wall and a pair ofupstanding sidewalls affixed to said bottom wall, wherein at least oneof said walls displaces upwardly allowing the egress of a multileveledtube-retaining support member,

a multileveled, C-shaped tube-retaining support member having onevertical wall and a pair of horizontal walls,

a plurality of axially aligned apertures in said support memberhorizontal walls, track means in said base member sidewalls, slidablysupporting at least one of said support member horizontal walls,

means associated with said base member sidewalls to releasably retainsaid support member in a desired assembled relationship with said basemember, and

a cover member disposed atop the upstanding sidewalls of said basemember to cover the tubes contained in said support member.

1. A test tube holder comprising, a U-shaped base member fabricated of amolded polymeric material and having a horizontal bottom wall and a pairof upstanding sidewalls formed integrally of said bottom wall, amultileveled, C-shaped tube-retaining support member fabricated of amolded polymeric material and having one vertical wall and a pair ofhorizontal walls, a plurality of axially aligned apertures in saidsupport member horizontal walls, track means recessed within saidsidewalls of said base member and serving to slidably support the lowerhorizontal wall of said support member, and means associated with saidbase member sidewalls and operatively associated with both said bottomwall and said vertical wall to releasably retain said support member ina desired assembled relationship with said base member.
 2. The inventionas set forth in claim 1 wherein said base member is color coded.
 3. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1 wherein a portion of said apertures inboth levels are circular in shape, axially aligned and extend verticallythrough both levels of said multileveled tube retaining support member,and a portion of said apertures are circular in shape and extendvertically through only one level of said multileveled tube-retainingsupport member.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein theportion of said apertures which extend vertically through only one levelof said multileveled tube-retaining support member are of a largerdiameter than the portion of said apertures extending vertically throughboth levels of said multileveled tube-retaining support member.
 5. Theinvention as set forth in claim 3 wherein yet another portion of saidapertures extend angularly through one level of said multileveledtube-retaining support member.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 1wherein said multileveled tube-retaininG support member is stepped andincludes in addition to said apertures a plurality of slots in thebottom level of said support member which extend inwardly from onelongitudinal edge thereof adjacent said angularly extending apertures.7. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upwardlydisplaceable wall is a reciprocably displaceable gate member which fitsinto sliding engagement within a pair of protrusions.
 8. The inventionas set forth in claim 2 wherein a ledge is circumferentially disposedabout the outer edge of said upstanding walls and oriented to receivesaid cover member.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidtrack means comprises a pair of grooves disposed longitudinally of theupstanding sidewalls.
 10. A test tube holder comprising, a U-shaped basemember having a horizontal bottom wall and a pair of upstandingsidewalls affixed to said bottom wall, wherein at least one of saidwalls displaces upwardly allowing the egress of a multileveledtube-retaining support member, a multileveled, C-shaped tube-retainingsupport member having one vertical wall and a pair of horizontal walls,a plurality of axially aligned apertures in said support memberhorizontal walls, track means in said base member sidewalls, slidablysupporting at least one of said support member horizontal walls, meansassociated with said base member sidewalls to releasably retain saidsupport member in a desired assembled relationship with said basemember, and a cover member disposed atop the upstanding sidewalls ofsaid base member to cover the tubes contained in said support member.